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“Can I change it?” A bit confused, I said no. And he said: “Then I don’t need to know”

If this isn't the motto for 2023 I don't know what is.

Meri Kirihimete Writes whanau, have a safe and happy holiday season.

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Right? If only I could do this 😂

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Also the Wellington Advent calendar has 15% off my fave bookstore so you can get it and buy a book (my books are there just saying lol) https://advent.wellingtonnz.com/deal/day-24?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=advent2022&utm_content=Wellington%20Advent%20Calendar%202022&utm_term=reminder

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founding

What a bummer!!! Oh man!!! But also what a moment to let it all wash over us. I was instantly relieved (and surprised I felt that way) after the kids got Covid-- that I knew with certainty in my gut how they’d react (and us too) and that in the end we were going to be ok. I know it isn’t that way for everyone, but the relief tasted so good after the absolute gut-wrenching fear and lockdowns. So grateful you are all ok.

Please: Remember to rest. Capital “R” rest. Though we love reading you, and your reflections always serve to tie things together and help us picture hope and community in the world. You must rest to chase away the worst of the covid immune system scrub.

Thanks for this nugget today, and for another stellar year of encouragement, hope, humour, and togetherness I somehow feel even just reading your words alone in my home on a little screen.

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Thank you so much x yes rest is my big priority. I thought I could do a little bit of vacuuming. I was wrong! My husband has just delivered me a breakfast smoothie in bed (I have no appetite). And I’ve been banned from moving for the next few hours! Thank you for your kind words x

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Arohanui Emily and fam. Hope you get some time to rest and recuperate at home. Wouldn’t we all like to be a bit more like Ham at this time of year! xx

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Thank you Claire! I will definitely be taking it easy ❤️

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What a relief you are home. Glad everyone seems to be recovering.

Three weeks later I’m finally feeling human again but still can’t smell or taste most things. I was excited this morning that I could taste liquorice when I couldn’t yesterday but then discovered I can’t taste tea. Vegemite tastes like salt and nothing else, it’s most odd but could be worse

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Yeah I vacuumed and am now absolutely exhausted and have been sent to bed by my husband 😭

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As you should be! At least you didn’t sneak out and mow the lawn like I did, I really regretted that (not that I admitted it)

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Sending you hugs from snowy Toronto! I’m so sorry your family went through this - but Ham’s practical optimism is the silver lining. Take care!

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Thank you so much Heather! I can’t imagine snow at Christmas! My kids haven’t even seen snow 😂

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Thank you for the update 💜 Relieved to hear you’re home safe now and also really sorry to hear your first holiday in a long while went south 😔

We are dodging covid this week with a family wedding on NYE. My Mother in Law is onto Day 7 and I told her we wouldn’t be doing Christmas tomorrow if she still has a positive RAT. She’s butthurt, but also the mind boggles that she thinks that a virus can count days and Day 7 automatically means she’s Not Contagious ...?

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You definitely made the right choice. We won’t be seeing people until we have negative RATs

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Hi gorgeous been thinking of you and your whanau a lot. Glad you are home now and you got through it. Even though it was so tough.

I have just come down with it today. And like you I am so grateful to all of those people who have done the hard yards to keep us safe xxxx

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I’m so sorry you have it x I hope you recover quickly x what an awful time to get it! Christmas Eve! Do you need anything?

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Wishing you all the best Emily. I’ve just spent a week at home with the family having covid and have been reading your book all week, such a lifeline, thank you for writing it!

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Thank you so much! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it! Xx

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I think I’m going to write Ham’s wisdom up in huge letters and hang it among the Christmas decorations! How did he figure that out so fast! It would go nicely with the copy of Needs Adult Supervision that my lovely Georgia, who’s here from Canada with her family, is getting tomorrow. Sooo relieved to hear some better news of your whanau - the timing was like a nasty cosmic joke at your expense. Do hope you’ll all be up to enjoying the remnant of the holidays to some degree, and that you’ll mend soon.

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Thank you Janet and thanks for buying Needs Adult Supervision!! Xx

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Emily. I admire you and your husband so much. I cannot even imagine what it must be like for you and your brave little Eddie. I have type 2 diabetes and that is bad enough. Not sure I would have coped with type 1. I guess it is needs must. Be assured you are on my prayer list. Have as good a Christmas as you can. Take care and God bless you all. Love xxxx

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Thank you so much Rita ❤️ you’re so kind x

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Oh you darling. I am fine. Just resting up and being thankful that we had our family pre Christmas last week. So just me and my husband having some quiet time together

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So glad to hear you’re doing better!! Meri Kirihimete 🎄❤️

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Thank you Lyn!

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Oh gosh... You are one of the most amazing people I know - and I don't actually know you! But I still think that. Best wishes for a full recovery, and rest well.

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That is so amazing of Ham! Well done for making it through, what a crappy holiday :(

We did the 2 weeks hotel iso with a 4yo and 6 month old. It was pretty hard. At one point my son was banging on the window yelling "LET US OUUUT!!!". But the hotel staff and the soldiers were amazing. They gave us two rooms, and dropped little packages with toys etc, and drew smiley faces on our food bags. The soldiers were really nice and blew bubbles for the kids and also some were hot which helped.

Meri Kirihimete to you and your whānau xx

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I'm so so so sorry you all caught Covid, after you'd been so careful and going on your bloody holiday too. It's not right :(

In case it's of interest, this woman is a Long Covid researcher (and pharmacist) she published this super useful piece on what OTC meds you can take during and after to reduce the impact of covid on your body but particular to reduce Long Covid.

https://pharmd.substack.com/p/i-have-covid-what-should-my-kids

I'm researching where to buy these in NZ, they seem to be available if pricey in some cases. If you''re interested in any let me know, and I can send you the links to buy.

Also, there was a successful probiotic study for covid patients in the UK that showed improvement up to 100 days after infection, esp with brain fog due to gut-brain connection. The combo they used is now available to buy, and it's in NZ with overnight delivery. I take them at the mo and recovered really quick from a GI infection so must do something! https://www.probiotics.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&path=50&product_id=219

Happy to gift you a packet of these if you'd like to try.

Enjoy your break in Auckland, I hope it's restful. x

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